Finanial Aid, Marital Status

BerkeleyMom · Mar 16, 2007

It is my understanding that marriage only becomes an issue in regards to free money, ie cal grants, pell grants, other gov grants (free money), ect. For example, as an undergrad I chose to hold off on marriage because I was considered a single parent and I was unemployed. For this reason I was able to maximize my eligibilty for free money and subsidized loans. Free money is usually need based, except for scholarships which can be under many categories.

As far as graduaute school, I do not think it is the same unless you are reaferring to a need-based grant/funding. It was my understanding that for graduate professional schools (nursing, med, law, ect) there was no free money--gov grants. If you are planning on financing your education on loans, then marriage should not make much of a difference.

It may make a difference in regards to the ratio of subed/unsubed loans, and I think it is worth calling your fin aid counselor and asking. That interest can add up quick!

Folks, please correct me if I am wrong! Mvanz999, Would you let us know if you find out otherwise?

Thanks, Best of luck!

--Berkeley

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Mar 16, 2007

You are correct, Berkeley - no free money for Graduate/Professional schools.

ChCkBzk · Mar 17, 2007

When I was in graduate school in Texas, I recieved grant money. Something like $1000 a semester.

I was NOT in nursing school. It was Linguistics.

mvanz9999, RN · Mar 18, 2007

When I was in graduate school in Texas, I recieved grant money. Something like $1000 a semester.
I was NOT in nursing school. It was Linguistics.

But did they ask you your marital status?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Mar 18, 2007

It was my understanding that for graduate professional schools (nursing, med, law, ect) there was no free money--gov grants

The only free federal money I know of that is available at the graduate school level are Advanced Education Nursing Traineeships through the Department of Health and Human Services. The grant is awarded to eligible institutions to provide financial support through traineeships for registered nurses enrolled in advanced education nursing programs to prepare nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, nurse administrators, nurse educators, public health nurses and nurses in other specialties determined by the Secretary to require advanced education.

In the school where I graduated from, there are usually 10-12 students who become recipients of this grant during each academic year. The grant covers tuition up to 8 credits per semester during the fall and winter terms. The only requirement for receiving such funds is that the student agrees to commit to full time study (8 credits per semester). The grant is not need-based (income and assets are not asked during the application process). Ask the institutions where you intend to enroll in if these funds are available to graduate nursing students.

lovingpecola · Mar 19, 2007

I have a different view on this topic...being married does affect your financial aid in that you have a much higher salary if both of you are working!

ie: single girl working might be making $25,000...add a husband and his $25,000...you now make $50,000 which changes your financial aid because it changes your EFC. (Expected Family Contribution) Your EFC matters because (in some cases - depending on the school) the lower your EFC, the higher your school sponsored scholarship because your need is higher.

EX: LP salary = $25,000...EFC =$3,000

LP + Husband salary = $50,000...EFC = $6,000

Eligible scholarship might = cost of attendance - EFC

These numbers are relatively small, but imagine them higher and the impact it would have...

Make sense?

ChCkBzk · Mar 22, 2007

on the FAFSA application it asked if you are married or single. That determines if you are considered to be an "independent" student.

The FAFSA awards money based on your total income I think, and if you are married, then yes you are going to have a higher income if you are both working.

So being single and broke has its perks, you get more money in federal aid! haha

mvanz9999, RN · Mar 22, 2007

I never really understood the question "What is your total income"? Right now it's one thing, but the second I start school, it's $0.00. :clown:

BerkeleyMom · Mar 22, 2007

They are always going to look at your finances/tax forms for the year before.

In regards to what the previous posters wrote about being married and having a higher total income and therefore not getting more federal aid. I do not think that this matters in graduate professional school, as I stated above.

It should ONLY matter if you are referring to free money--gov grants and need based scholarships. If you are funding your entire education on loans, then it should not make a difference if you marry a rich person! Loan venders are still going to lend you money--of course they are--this is what they do. They lend people money, charge interest, and then collect. They generally don't care how much money you make, unless you have terrible credit and they do not trust that you can pay it back.

It may make a difference as far as your ratio of subsidized to unsubsized loans--but only your financial aid counselor can tell you that.

So please, get married if you want to--don't let anyone or anything stop what your heart desires.

ChCkBzk · Mar 23, 2007

Yes, you can still take out the same amount of financial aid, but your income changes whether it's subsidized or unsubsidized. If you are really broke, like myself, then you can get part of your loans subsidized. I just fille out my FAFSA form and wow........I'm almost hitting the poverty line!

But if you marry a rich guy....then maybe he will just pay for nursing school? :)

If you know a second rich guy.....can you send him my way? J/K haha

mvanz9999, RN · Mar 23, 2007

Um....well, I'm a guy.

The only guys I know are what I call "inversely" rich. Which means they have 6-figure debts.

Maybe I shouldn't be talking about marriage. Maybe that's weird.